Apple has apparently removed all Civil War-themed apps and games from the App Store due to use of the Confederate Flag. According to the removal notices issued by apple, the apps have been pulled on the grounds that they violate Section 19.1 of the App Store Review Guidelines:
” 19.1 Apps containing references or commentary about a religious, cultural or ethnic group that are defamatory, offensive, mean-spirited or likely to expose the targeted group to harm or violence will be rejected. “
Section 19 concerns the topics of “religion, culture and ethnicity.”
Some of the games that Apple has removed from the App Store include:
• Ultimate General: Gettysburg
• Civil War: Hidden Mysteries
• Civil War The Battle Game
• Civil War Battle Defense
• 1861 A Civil War Rebellion
The removal of the Confederate Flag from popular consumer enterprises, such as the App Store, has been at the epicenter of recent racial controversies regarding the use of the flag by certain U.S. states. These controversies were instigated by the tragic shooting in a Charleston, South Carolina church last week. Additional retailers, such as Amazon.com and Sears, have also pulled Confederate Flag-related merchandise from their stores, according to USA TODAY.
Apple is believed to be negotiating the return of the affected apps to the App Store. Their return will be contingent upon the removal or replacement of the Confederate Flag within the apps. Educational apps with Civil War-related content do not appear to have been affected by Apple’s policy enforcement.